How to pronounce obvious
Say it like OB-vee-us. Obvious has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obvious. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OB
- vee
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obvious pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of obvious
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OB-veers.
What does obvious mean?
- easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind“obvious errors”
Where does obvious come from?
16th century, from Latin obvius (“being in the way so as to meet, meeting, easy to access, at hand, ready, obvious”) + -ous, from ob- (“before”) + via (“way”).
Questions about saying obvious
How do you pronounce obvious?
Say OB-vee-us. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑbviəs/. In British English it is /ˈɒbvɪəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obvious?
Obvious has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OB). Broken into parts: OB · vee · us.
Is obvious pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2. The British form is /ˈɒbvɪəs/ (OB-veers).